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The following information on the Mojave National Preserve
is provided by the National Park System. |
Signed into law October 31, 1994, the California
Desert Protection Act created the 1.6 million acre Mojave National
Preserve in the heart of the Mojave Desert. Mojave National Preserve
was established to preserve outstanding natural, cultural and scenic
resources while providing for scientific, educational and recreational
interests for current and future generations.
Three of North America's four deserts; the Mojave,
Great Basin and Sonoran meet in the Preserve to form an immense
transition zone. With sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, desert
scrub land and mountain-top forests, Mojave is a land of great diversity.
Mojave is also home to nearly 300 species
of animals, including desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, mule dear,
and the protected desert tortoise. There are also many types of
birds that inhabit the area such as the golden eagle, quail, hummingbirds
and roadrunners. Desert plants are specially adapted to living in
this hostile environment. Many have waxy surfaces to reduce moisture
loss while the cactus stores its water in fleshy stems. Other common
plants include the creosote bush, Mojave yucca, Joshua tree, sage
brush, juniper and pinon pine. With sufficient rainfall during winter
and spring, wildflowers can bloom in abundance blanketing the ground
in rainbow colors. In all, the Preserve offers one of the most unique
ecosystems in the Mojave Desert.
Temperatures during the summer often exceed 100
degrees. Be sure to bring enough water for you, your passengers
and your vehicle. When hiking carry at least one gallon of water
per person. Wear clothing that will protect you against the sun
and wind. Nights during the summer may be cool so bring extra layers
of clothing. The winter months may also bring adverse weather conditions.
Temperatures may drop to below freezing with snow and freezing rain
a possibility. When adventuring on rugged 4x4 roads always let someone
know where you are going and bring tools with you that will help
if you become stuck in the sand or get a flat tire.
There are two developed campgrounds in Mojave
National Preserve located at Hole
in the Wall and at Midhills and also
some sites at Providence Mountain State Recreation area. Mojave's
campsites have picnic tables, fire rings and pit toilets. Water
is available at both campgrounds and is seasonal as the weather
changes. Group camping is available at the Hole
in the Wall Group and Equestrian site by reservation only. Camping
is also permitted in the backcountry or by the roadside at least
1/4 mile from the main roadways. When selecting a campsite outside
of the established campgrounds please choose a site that has been
traditionally used and do not disturb any of the native vegetation.
Please call the Baker Information Center for more details.
There are two established trails in Mojave. Teutonia
Peak trail is located 4 miles north of Cima on Cima Road. This four
mile round trip trail winds through a scenic Joshua Tree forest
strewn with granite boulders. Another adventuresome trail is the
Hole in the Wall to Midhills
trail which travels seven miles one way through the Midhills from
Hole in the Wall to Midhills
Campground.
This scenic 4x4 road runs approximately 139 miles
from the Colorado River to Camp Cady near Barstow, CA. Over the
years Native Americans used this trail as a trade route and later
early American settlers used the road as a passageway through the
desert heading westward. During the 1860's the U.S. Army established
outposts approximately every 20 miles to insure the safety of the
settlers. Today avid 4x4 enthusiasts enjoy traversing the rugged
terrain as a day trip or a weekend excursion.
Hunting is permitted within the boundaries of
the Mojave National Preserve. Hunting seasons run from September
to February. Common game species include Mule Deer, Quail, Chukar,
and Mourning Dove. All hunting activities must be conducted in accordance
with county, state and federal regulations. Please refer to California
Fish and Game Regulations for further details.
When Mojave National Preserve was created in
1994 almost fifty percent of the park was set aside as wilderness.
Wilderness areas were created to help 'get away from it all' and
delight in the peace and solitude one can enjoy without the noise
and confusion of today's modern society. Wilderness areas prohibit
the use of any motorized or mechanical device such as automobiles,
helicopters, bicycles and off road vehicles.
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Kelso Dunes rise more than 700 feet above
the desert floor. The dunes were created by southeast winds blowing
finely grained residual sand from the Mojave River sink, which lies
to the northwest. Rose quartz particles are responsible for the
dunes golden color. When the dry sand grains slide down the steep
upper slopes a "booming" sound may be produced. A hike
to the top and back takes approximately two hours. The Kelso Dunes
are closed to all vehicles.
Kelso Depot was built by the Union Pacific Railroad
in 1924 to service the steam engines that made the climb up the
steep Cima grade. The depot closed in 1985 and today it is one of
only two remaining railroad stations built in the Spanish style
architecture. The National Park Service is working to restore the
building and grounds to one day serve as the main visitor center
for Mojave National Preserve.
Editor's note: The restoration of the Kelso
Depot has been completed and is now open for visitors.
More than 30 young volcanic cones clustered on
the surface of old lava flows are probably the best example of recent
volcanic activity (1,000 years ago) in the Mojave Desert. Aiken
Cinder Cone Mine Road provides an interesting side trip through
the heart of the region. High clearance/4x4 vehicles are recommended.
At an elevation of 4,300 feet, this popular destination
features unusual volcanic rock formations and activities including
camping, picnicking and the nearby visitor center. There are also
two trails leaving from the area; One, the Hole In The Wall Rings
Trail, leaves the picnic area and travels west approximately
one-quarter mile through the volcanic rock using metal rings to
descend and the other, the Hole In
The Wall to Midhills, is a seven
mile trail which starts on Wildhorse Canyon Road near Hole
In The Wall and winds through the terrain to Midhills
Campground-Elevation change of 1,100 feet. Rock climbing on the
fragile volcanic rock is not recommended.
Piute Creek/Fort Piute is located on the easternmost
side of the Preserve. A narrow ribbon of willows, cottonwoods, and
thrushes thrive along the half mile section of Piute Creek, one
of the only free flowing streams in the Mojave Desert. It was an
important water source for Indians, early explorers and animals.
Fort Piute was built by the U.S. Army and served as a base from
November 1867 to May 1868. Opportunities abound for hiking and bird
watching.
Clark Mountain is the highest peak in Mojave
at 7,929 feet. Mountaintops receive two to three times the rainfall
of the lower elevations and are much cooler. These unique habitats
support a very different array of plants and animals than areas
even a few miles away, and are among the interesting desert ecosystems.
Providence Mountains State
Recreation Area
(Mitchell Caverns) |
This area is administered by the California Department
of Parks and Recreation and is open for camping, hiking and picnicking.
Also open for tours are the limestone caves, known as Mitchell Caverns.
Guided tours, which last about 1.5 hours and require a 1.5 mile
hike, provide access to the caverns. Call (805) 942-0662 for information
about reservations and tour times.
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- Target shooting is not permitted within Mojave
National Preserve.
- Wilderness areas are open to foot or horse
traffic only. No motorized/mechanized vehicles are permitted.
- All vehicles operated within the boundaries
of Mojave National Preserve must be street legal, having valid
registration and insurance. Driving off established roads is prohibited.
- Gathering of plants/wood is not permitted.
- Do not damage, deface or remove any archeological
or historical resources.
- Dogs must remain on leash at all times except
when used during hunting.
- Fires must remain in existing fire rings or
fire pans.
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Emergency 911
Mojave National Preserve
(Headquarters)
222 E. Main Street, Suite 202
Barstow, CA 92311
(760) 255-8801 [Mon.-Fri.]
Mojave Desert Information Center
(Baker)
72157 Baker Blvd., PO Box 241
Baker, CA 92309
(760) 733-4040 [9-5 Daily]
Mojave Desert Information Center
(Needles)
707 W. Broadway
Needles, CA 92363
(760) 326-6322 [9-5 Daily]
Hole in the Wall Visitor Center
(760) 928-2572 [Open Seasonally]
Internet: www.nps.gov/moja
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